elsiepac's Recipes

elsiepac

Hi all

I'm trying some new frugal recipes and so thought I would share as I go along, and also if you want to give me ideas I'd be most grateful!

Some quick background on me - whilst I'm currently living with parents, I cook and buyall my own food as it's not included in rent. I am extremely limited on storage space - I have 1 freezer shelf, 1 fridge shelf, and 1 fridge drawer. (American style fridge/freezer so quite small in size!) Plus cupboard space.

I am not a big meat eater, however I do enjoy chicken, bacon, fish etc. You will not find these things occuring very frequently though, as I will only buy Free Range. I will not compromise on this - I think there is no need for cruelty to be inflicted just so I can have a luxury item.

So, I will try and update with recipes when I can.

I will put 1 recipe per post, with the post title being the name of the recipe.

I will only post recipes I have tried and tested.

Hopefully this will help others as well!

LC

Mash Pie
Lentil Ragu
Minestrone Soup

elsiepac

Today's recipe was something I have named Mash Pie. I have seen it occur in various guises but never exactly as the below, so it's justified posting. Unfortunately the bacon made it not cheap, as I have to get Outdoor Reared so I know it was as happy as we'd have allowed it to be.

All in today's version cost me about £4.50 in total. Bear in mind £2.50 of that was on the bacon - my choice. So each portion is £1.13 ish. But the bacon really made the dish! I had it with some of a boiled broccoli which cost me 50p (so 25p for today's) and some frozen mixed veg which worked out about 10p (1kg bag is £1). So a total for me for today's tea of £1.48. Must try harder!

[FONT=&quot]Mash Pie[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Makes 4 generous servings
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Ingredients[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1.25 - 1.5kg potatoes[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 pack smoked back bacon (6 rashers)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 tsp olive oil[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 large red onion, chopped[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4 cloves garlic, sliced thinly[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]100g cheese, grated[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 ½ tsp dried sage[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]½ - 1 tsp ground black pepper[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]½ tsp salt[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]splash milk[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Method[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Preheat oven to 180.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Peel, chop and boil the potatoes.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Meanwhile, griddle the bacon until crispy (or grill).[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Leave to one side while frying onions and garlic slowly till golden in oil.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Add (now chopped) bacon to onion and garlic. Put aside.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]When potatoes are cooked, mash with the milk.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Stir through the sage, pepper, salt and a third of the cheese.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Add the bacon, onion and garlic mix and combine well.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Spread in a large casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Bake for about 20 minutes until golden and crusty on top.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Serve with vegetables.[/FONT]

Enjoy!

LC

elsiepac

This is a recipe I made the other day. I was REALLY impressed with it. It's basically a bolognese sauce but with lentils instead of mince. The herbs make it - do NOT scrimp! This recipe originally came from BBC Good Food - I have changed it to my liking

[FONT=&quot]Lentil Ragu[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] makes 6 generous servings
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Ingredients[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]3 tbsp olive oil [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2 red onions, finely chopped [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5 carrots, finely chopped [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5 celery sticks, finely chopped [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4 garlic cloves, crushed [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]500g bag dried red lentils [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes or passata (I used passata, it's cheaper and thicker)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2 tsp each dried oregano and thyme [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3 bay leaves [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1l vegetable stock [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Method[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Cook gently for 15-20 mins until everything is softened.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Stir in the lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato pur!e, herbs and stock.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Bring to a simmer, then cook for 40-50 mins until the lentils are tender and saucy - splash in water if you need.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Season.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Serve with spaghetti or pasta, with optional grated cheese if desired.[/FONT]

Enjoy!

LC

elsiepac

This is one of my regular recipes. It's incredibly healthy, filling and pretty cheap! I make this at least twice a month for my lunches. You don't need a bread roll with it which is an added bonus. This is another one I've changed from one I found on BBC Good Food. I love this as it only takes half an hour total and there is literally no prep or chopping!

[FONT=&quot]Minestrone Soup[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Makes 4 servings
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Ingredients[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]400g tin chopped tomatoes [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 vegetable Oxo cube[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2.5 - 3 tomato tins of water[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]100g thin spaghetti, broken into short lengths (I just use normal wholewheat)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]500g frozen mixed vegetables[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 tin white beans (haricot or cannelini - but I prefer haricot as cannelini make it too filling IMHO)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]¼ jar green pesto [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]parmesan, to serve[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Method[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Bring the stock to the boil with the tomatoes, then add the spaghetti and cook for 6 mins or until done.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]A few minutes before the pasta is ready, add the vegetables and bring back to the boil.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Simmer for 2 mins until everything is cooked. [/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Mix through the pesto.[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Sprinkle with parmesan if desired - personally I don't bother. [/FONT]

Enjoy!

LC